Veterinary News,
Explained.

USDA APHIS and partners began distributing oral rabies vaccine baits in targeted rural, suburban, and urban areas. The wildlife program uses fishmeal-coated vaccine sachets to reduce rabies transmission in reservoir species and help protect people, pets, and livestock.

CDC’s June 23 situation summary says the current risk to the U.S. public and animals is very low, notes USDA’s first U.S. animal case in the current outbreak, and reports no locally acquired human infestations in the U.S. CDC says risk is localized to areas where NWS cases have been reported and points readers to official reporting resources.

AVMA reported that CDC confirmed cat-to-human transmission of avian influenza, making feline exposure and safe handling a public-health topic with direct veterinary relevance.

AVMA reported during National Pet Week that U.S. pet ownership has increased, using the observance to emphasize the human-animal bond and responsible veterinary care.

AVMA used National Dog Bite Prevention Week to highlight prevention strategies centered on supervision, education, and safer interactions between children and dogs.

USDA and federal partners announced a coordinated enforcement effort aimed at chronic companion-animal welfare violators and dogfighting-related offenses.

APHIS announced its 2025 oral rabies vaccination campaign targeting wildlife, describing large-scale bait distribution in multiple states to help prevent spread of raccoon rabies and reduce public-health risk.

APHIS continued field assessment of ONRAB oral rabies vaccine in raccoons and other wildlife, using large-scale bait distribution and follow-up sampling to evaluate immune response in targeted areas.

FelineVMA provides a clinical resource explaining why cats are susceptible to H5N1, what exposures matter, and what to consider when a cat may have been exposed.